Welcome to the Burger Chef Reliquary. The artifacts contained here are remnants of a sacred time and place. As you peruse the collection, feel free to add additional information or share your memories in the comment sections at the end of each post.

August 19, 2005

Hornito (My Lie Life)

by Mike Albo

ISBN 0-68-817436-1

Mike Albo is so gay, he can't even write his biography straight. His account of growing up queer in the 1970s is therefor fictionalized. Albo transports the reader back in time through numerous pop-culture references, often with his own unique perspective. (His memories of Steve Austin, TheSix Million Dollar Man, are particularly endearing.) But it's ultimately a ten-year-old Albo's behind-the-scenes tour of a Burger Chef kitchen that makes this book a heart-warming and timeless classic. The reader is left to wonder whether there is any truth to his account or if it was pure fantasy.

"I can't believe you found that reference! ....Thank you for including me on your site...We had a Burger Chef in Springfield...and I just remember the façade...it attached itself to my kiddie memory...I remember it being very cartoony which was of course so seductive to me....

I have a new novel out as well...its called The Underminer...its about an evil, super successful best friend who makes you feel totally suicidal about yourself...where Hornito was about the 70s and 80s, this novel is more about the 90’s...the chaotic ride from recession to dot com boom, bust, and our bizarre new world of terrorism, overpriced coffee bars and bloated real estate value....

All the best to you!" --Mike Albo

Track down your own copy of Hornito at abebooks.com and support independent booksellers.